Associate in Science, Emphasis in Astronomy

Astronomy
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Learn more about the Astronomy program.

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Course Sequence

Field of Interest

Field of Interest: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

The Associate in Science (AS), Emphasis in Astronomy provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who intend to transfer to a four-year institution to specialize in Astronomy or a related field. Upon completion of a graduate degree, students may pursue a number of careers including astronomers, atmospheric and space scientists, physicists, and astronomy professors.

Details

Details iconImportant information you’ll need when applying for admission:

Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Type
Associate in Science (AS)
Academic Plan
Associate in Science, Emphasis in Astronomy (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8605
Total Credits Required
60-64
Catalog Year
2023-2024
Effective Term
Fall 2022
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses in the program.

Transfer Partner
Arizona State University
Transfer Program
Earth and Space Exploration (Astrophysics) (Bachelor of Science)

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges to earn a degree with this emphasis.

What You’ll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Engage and develop your curiosity of the natural world.
  2. Utilize laboratory equipment, telescopes, and software to gather data, observations, measurements in order to find patterns, correlations, and relationships related to our origins and place in the Universe and the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe.
  3. Clearly communicate scientific ideas to a diverse audience - qualitatively and quantitatively, in verbal, written, and visual formats, using an appropriate technical vocabulary.
  4. Implement a macro perspective to interpret, analyze, and engage with universal concepts.
  5. Critically assess problems using the principles, methodologies and perspectives of Astronomy.
  6. Evaluate published materials for scientific validity.
  7. Compare and contrast the perspectives of diverse societies and cultures.
  8. Demonstrate ethical practices in individual and collaborative work settings.
  9. Integrate and apply theory and observational data to develop solutions to societal problems.
  10. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Career Opportunities

成功完成这个学位可能导致employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Astronomers

$122,046

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

$73,146

Physicists

$192,842

Postsecondary Physics Teachers

$64,985

*职业和工资Lightcas所提供的信息t using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed.Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet withan academic advisorto develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in yourStudent Centerto manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • 除了需求中确认sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit withan academic advisorto ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Note:Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AST111or
AST112		 Introduction to Solar System AstronomyorIntroduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology Critical courseGateway course SQ 4
ENG101or
ENG107		 First-Year CompositionorFirst-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
MAT220or
MAT221		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry IorCalculus with Analytic Geometry I MA 4–5
HU 人文、艺术& Design HU 3
FYE101or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal SuccessorExploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AST111or
AST112		 Introduction to Solar System AstronomyorIntroduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology Critical courseGateway course SQ 4
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
ENG102or
ENG108		 First-Year CompositionorFirst-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
PHY115 or
PHY121		 University Physics IorUniversity Physics I: Mechanics SQ 4–5
MAT230 or
MAT231		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry IIorCalculus with Analytic Geometry II MA 4–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
PHY116 or
PHY131		 University Physics IIorUniversity Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism SQ 4–5
MAT240 or
MAT241		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry IIIorCalculus with Analytic Geometry III MA 4–5
COM100or
COM110or
COM225or
COM230		 Introduction to Human CommunicationorInterpersonal CommunicationorPublic SpeakingorSmall Group Communication Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously. SBorL 0–3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT261 or
MAT276or
MAT277		 Differential EquationsorModern Differential EquationsorModern Differential Equations MA 3–4
HU 人文、艺术& Design HU 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and [SB] Social-Behavioral Sciences or [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and [HU] Humanities, Arts & Design or [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and (COM) Oral Communications or [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry andCRE101requirements simultaneously. L 0–3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • 除了需求中确认sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit withan academic advisorto ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Note:Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AST111or
AST112		 Introduction to Solar System AstronomyorIntroduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology Critical courseGateway course SQ 4
ENG101or
ENG107		 First-Year CompositionorFirst-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
FYE101or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal SuccessorExploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT220or
MAT221		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry IorCalculus with Analytic Geometry I MA 4–5
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
ENG102or
ENG108		 First-Year CompositionorFirst-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
PHY115 or
PHY121		 University Physics IorUniversity Physics I: Mechanics SQ 4–5
COM100or
COM110or
COM225or
COM230		 Introduction to Human CommunicationorInterpersonal CommunicationorPublic SpeakingorSmall Group Communication Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously. SBorL 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AST111or
AST112		 Introduction to Solar System AstronomyorIntroduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology Critical courseGateway course SQ 4
MAT230 or
MAT231		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry IIorCalculus with Analytic Geometry II MA 4–5

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences SB 3
PHY116 or
PHY131		 University Physics IIorUniversity Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism SQ 4–5

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT240 or
MAT241		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry IIIorCalculus with Analytic Geometry III MA 4–5
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and [SB] Social-Behavioral Sciences or [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and [HU] Humanities, Arts & Design or [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and (COM) Oral Communications or [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry andCRE101requirements simultaneously. L 0–3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT261 or
MAT276or
MAT277		 Differential EquationsorModern Differential EquationsorModern Differential Equations MA 3–4
HU 人文、艺术& Design HU 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU 人文、艺术& Design HU 3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Ready to get started?

Follow one of the options below to get started on your personal career pathway.

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Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.

Program Information

Learn more about and find contact information for the Astronomy program.

General Help

Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.

Course Area Key

Gateway Course= Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course= A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • C= Cultural Diversity in the US
  • CS= Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC=第一年的作文
  • G= Global Awareness
  • H= Historical Awareness
  • HU= Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L= Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA= Mathematics
  • SB= Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG= Natural Sciences General
  • SQ= Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet withan academic advisorto discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

View MCCCD’sofficial curriculum documentationfor additional details regarding the requirements of this award(https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=176512).